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The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) is presenting a three-part international webinar series, for two hours each day on January 27, February 3 and February 10, focused on the latest innovative technologies in aviation and space for commercial and defense applications – many of which are being developed or advanced in Fairfax County and Northern Virginia.

Day 1 (January 27) of the “Air & Space Innovation Series” will spotlight “Air Innovation: Flying Cars, Drones and Unmanned Air Systems.” Day 2 (February 3) will focus on “Space Innovation, Novel Communications and Expeditions.” Day 3 (February 10) will spotlight “Defense Innovation in Air and Space.”

Companies and organizations that are involved with the series include AFWERX, Airbus America, Aireon, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, ANRA Technologies, BAE Systems, Ball Aerospace, BlackSky, Center for Innovative Technology, DroneShield, Elroy Air, Israel Aerospace Industries North America,  NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA HEO Missions Directorate, Northrop Grumman, OneWeb, SatixFy, Scout, and Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership.

Click here for registration details. The virtual series will be broadcast using the Whova platform, which allows for additional networking opportunities beyond the program and presentations. Instructions for event access on Whova will be provided upon registration.

“The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority thanks the notable experts who will be discussing the latest technologies in aviation and space for commercial and defense applications during the international webinar series,” said Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of the FCEDA. “Many of the companies that will be represented are located within or conduct substantial business operations in Fairfax County and Northern Virginia – exemplifying the region as a major global aerospace technology hub.”

Jan. 27: Air innovation: flying cars, drones and unmanned air systems

With the focus on “Air Innovation,” the keynote address, titled: “New technologies and challenges in aviation” will be delivered by Amanda Simpson, vice president for research and technology at Herndon-based Airbus America.

An “Aviation technology showcase” will be moderated by: Graham Warwick, executive editor, technology, Aviation Week; and will feature: Amit Ganjoo, CEO of ANRA Technologies, based in Tysons; Don Thoma, CEO of Aireon, based in Tysons; David Merrill, CEO and co-founder of Elroy Air; and Mark Blanks, director of Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership.

The closing remarks, titled: “Virginia – leading unmanned aerial systems,” will be delivered by Tracy Tynan, director, unmanned systems at the Herndon-headquartered Center for Innovative Technology.

Feb. 3: Space innovation: novel communications and expeditions

With the focus on “Space Innovation,” opening remarks will feature Daniel Dumbacher, executive director at American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, based in Reston.

A panel discussion titled “New technologies for space applications,” will be moderated by Dr. Eliad Peretz, lead researcher, new space missions at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Panelists will be Dylan Browne, vice president, government sales at OneWeb, based in North America in Tysons; Eric Ingram, founder and CEO at Scout; Brad Grane, strategic development manager, defense and intelligence systems at Ball Aerospace, based in Chantilly; Gil Shacham, vice president of marketing and products at SatixFy; and Dr. Jon Arenberg, chief engineer for space science missions at Northrop Grumman, headquartered in the Falls Church area of Fairfax County.

The closing keynote, titled “The future of space exploration,” will be delivered by Kathryn Lueders, associate administrator for Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate at NASA HEO Missions Directorate.

Feb. 10: Defense innovation in air and space

With the focus on “Defense Innovation,” Col. Nathan Diller, USAF, director of AFWERX will deliver the keynote presentation, titled: “AFWERX: The US Air Force program for service innovation.”

A defense technology solutions showcase, titled: “Technology solutions for defense aerospace,” will be moderated by Daniel Wasserbly, editor at Janes International Defence Review; and feature Ted Bowlds, CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries North America, based in Herndon; Joshua Niedzwiecki, vice president, strategy and planning at BAE Systems, headquartered in the U.S. in the Falls Church area; Scott Herman, chief solutions architect, BlackSky, based in Herndon; and Matt McCrann, vice president of sales, DroneShield.

The closing keynote presentation will be delivered by Nathan Merritt, International Business Development at Reconnaissance Mission Systems Sector, Integrated Mission Systems, L3Harris Technologies. The topic for the discussion will be “Integrated Mission Solutions for the Next Fight.”

For more details, including speaker biographies, please register here to get event site access.

The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center. The FCEDA offers site location and business development assistance, and connections with county and state government agencies, to help companies locate and expand in Fairfax County. In addition to its headquarters in Tysons, Fairfax County’s largest business district, the FCEDA maintains business investment offices in six important global business centers: Bangalore/Mumbai, Berlin, London, Los Angeles, Seoul and Tel Aviv. Follow the FCEDA on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

The FCEDA is a member of the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance, which promotes and markets Northern Virginia outside the region and conducts activities and events to build the regional business community. Other members of NOVA EDA are the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, Arlington County, City of Fairfax, City of Falls Church, Fauquier County, Loudoun County, City of Manassas, City of Manassas Park and the Prince William County Department of Economic Development.

January 7, 2021

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